Storage container



Dec. 10, 196.8 N. .1. MORRIS 3,415,585

STORAGE CONTAINER Filed Dec. 14, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 x vi w INVENTOR.lYfZS'O/Y J. MORE/5' pMc-W I ATTORNE vs Dec. 10, 1958 N. .1. MORRIS3,415,585

STORAGE CONTAINER Admin...

INVENTOR. Afl 5'0/Y J. MORE/8 ATTORNE rs Dec. 10, 1968 N. J. MORRIS3,415,585

STORAGE CONTAINER Filed Dec. 14, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. NEL50/V J. MFR/5 Dec. 10, 1968 N. J. MORRIS STORAGE CONTAINER 5Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 14, 1966 "l mm m w NJ.

I & M cm aroma 5Y5 Dec. 10, 1968 N. J. MORRIS 3,415,585

STORAGE CONTAINER Filed Dec. 14. 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR- NELSONJ. MORRIS United States Patent 3,415,585 STORAGE CONTAINER Nelson J.Morris, Houston, Tex., assignor to Weyerhaeuser Company, Tacoma, Wash, acorporation of Washington Filed Dec. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 601,762 17Claims. (Cl. 312--261) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A container having atray slidably mounted within a box which fully encloses the tray. Thebox may have its cover flaps folded over or be provided with additionalinternal liners for stacking strength. The tray has a number of internalpartitions which are held upright within the tray. A ramp inclinesdownwardly toward the front of the tray between each of the partitions.The container may be used for storing reels.

This invention relates to a storage container having high strengthcharacteristics. More specifically, this invention relates to a storagecontainer having high strength characteristics and having easy accessfeatures for the retrieval of articles stored therein.

In recent years, many industries have provided an abundance of data infield of sales, marketing, research, planning, etc., for present andfuture use. In order to make proper use of this data, it is requiredthat elaborate information retrieval systems be devised.

Because this data is transferred onto microfilms, magnetic tapes or thelike, it is required that adequate storage space he provided. If thedata is put on magnetic tapes, it is required that the tape be woundonto a metal or plastic reel which is then put into a metal or plasticcylindrical storage container. These containers are then placed in aroom and arranged in such a manner to quickly be retrieved when it isneeded.

In the past, it has been the practice to store these cylindrical storagecontainers on metal racks along one wall of a vault or other type ofstorage room. These racks had several tiers with metal dividers betweentwo parallel spaced apart arms to hold the storage container in anupright position so that it could be easily removed as needed. Specialattention must be made in storing these containers because of the dangerof fires and dust. If the magnetic tapes are exposed to dust, their useis limited. Moreover, the metal racks which store the cylindricalcontainers take up a lot of excess room which is expensive since suchspace could be put to some other use.

The present invention replaces the racks with a number of containerswhich may be stacked several high. The container has an outer, fullyenclosing body member and an inner slidable tray. The body member hasreinforcing elements formed either by folding back some of the flaps ofthe body or by inserting additional liners within the body. This allowsthe cartons to be stacked several high. The slidable tray has within ita number of partitions for separating the reels stored within the tray.The partitions are held upright and the tray has an inclined rampbetween the partitions to allow the reels to roll forwardly by gravityfor easy retrieval within the container. The fully enclosed containerprotects the reels from dust and other elements.

An object of this invention is to provide a storage container havinghigh strength characteristics for storing articles such as cylindricalcontainers containing magnetic tapes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a storage containerhaving high strength characteristics having easy access to the interiorthereof for quick retrieval of the articles stored therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a storage containerhaving high strength characteristics so that the storage containers canbe stacked one on top of the other with each storage container having amechanism slidably mounted within the container to provide easyretrieval of all the articles within the container and a gravity systemfor individual articles.

These and other objects and advantages will become manifestly clear tothose skilled in the art when taken in conjunction with the detaileddescription and drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the storage container blank of the presentinvention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the tray blank of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the reinforcing liner blank of the presentinvention.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the partition holder blank.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the ramp blank.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the partition members blank.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the spacer blank.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the set up storage container blank.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the assembled storage container blankwith the assembled liner blank being inserted therein.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective vie-w of the tray blank in a partiallyassembled condition.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the assembled wedge blank.

FIGURE 12 is an exploded perspective view of all the parts that gowithin the assembled tray blank.

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of the assembled container blank withall parts therein.

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of the assembled container blank withparts broken away and shown in cross section to illustrate internaldetails.

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of the tray having all parts therein.

FIGURE 16 is a sectional schematic View illustrating the manner in whichmagnetic tapes are stored within the assembled storage container.

Referring to the drawings, the storage container blank 1 is illustratedin FIGURE 1 and is provided with a plurality of horizontal score lines 2which divide the blank into a bottom panel 3, a side panel 4, a toppanel 5, and another side panel 6 and a glue flap 7. The vertical scoreline 12 is provided to form bottom closure flaps 8, 9, 10 and 11, eachbeing separated by a slot in the usual manner. A vertical score line 13is provided to form bottom front closure panel 14, top front closureflap 15, and front side closure flaps 16 and 17. The front side closureflap 16 is divided by a fold line 19 to provide a second panel 16 Whilethe side front closure panel 17 is likewise divided by a fold line 18 toprovide a second panel 17'. The panels 16 and 17 are each provided withadditional fold lines 21 and 20 for a purpose to be hereinafter setforth. Each of the front closure flaps are divided from each other bythe usual slots. The bottom front closure panel 14 is provided with anelongated slot 22 which receives a closure lock hereinafter set forthand top front closure panel 15 is provided with a knob 23 which isattached to the closure lock.

The tray blank 24 is illustrated in FIGURE 2 and comprises a bottompanel 25 and side panels 26. The panels 25 and 26 are hingedly connectedto each. other by score lines 27. Hingedly connected to the bottom panel25 is a rear panel 28 and separated therefrom by a score line 34. Thepanel 28 is divided into two sections 28 and 28 by a pair of score lines29 and 30. The outer portion of the panel 28 is provided with extensions32 which are adapted to fit into slots 31 formed in the bottom panel 25.In this manner the panels 28 and 28 will be folded adjacent to eachother in the assembled condition. Reinforcing flaps 33 are provided onthe rear portion of the side panels 26 and are separated therefrom byscore lines 34 and 35. The reinforcing flaps 33 are separated from therear panel 28 by a out line 44. The front portions of the side panels 26are provided with curvilinear edges 36 which join fold lines 43' whichseparate glue flaps 42 from the side panels 26. A front panel 37 isprovided and is divided into two sections 37 and 37 by a pair of foldlines 38 and 39. The outer extreme portions of the panel 37 is providedwith extensions 41 that fit into slots 40 formed in the bottom panel 25.In this manner the panel portions 37 and 37 are folded adjacent eachother along the fold lines 38 and 39 in a manner as hereinafter setforth. As is illustrated, the glue flaps 42 are separated from the frontpanels 37 and 37 by cut-out portions 45.

The liner blank 46 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGURE 3and is provided with a top panel 50 and a pair of side panels 49. Thepanels 49 and 50 are separated from each other by fold lines 48.Reinforcing panels 51 are hingedly connected to the outer portions ofpanels 49 by fold lines 47. In this manner the reinforcing panels 51 canbe folded to adjacent the side panels 49 in a manner as hereinafter setforth.

A partition holder blank 53 is illustrated in FIGURE 4 and consists of aplurality of transverse fold lines 54 to divide the blank 53 into aseries of panels 55. Slots 56 and 57 are formed in the blank coaxialwith each other so that upon folding the blank 53 in a manner ashereinafter set forth, the slots 56 and 57 will register.

A reel supporting ramp blank 58 is illustrated in FIG- URE and isprovided with a top panel 60 and side supporting panels 59 dividedtherefrom by fold lines 61. A support tab 62 is hingedly connected at 63to the top panel 60. As is illustrated, the side support panels 59diverge outwardly away from the front portion 60' of the top supportpanel 60.

In FIGURE 6, the partition member 64 is illustrated having upper edge 66and a lower edge 65 that are parallel with respect to each other. Theupper and lower edges 66 and 65 are joined together by curved end edges67. The partition members 64 are adapted to fit into the slots 56 and 57in the partition holding blank 53.

A wedge blank 68 is illustrated in FIGURE 7 and consists of a pluralityof score lines 69 on each end thereof which divides the blank into endenlargement members 78 and 79 with a panel 70 therebetween. Theenlargement members are illustrated in FIGURE 11.

In assembling the storage container of the present invention, thestorage container blank 1 is folded along score lines 2 to form aregular slotted container with the glue flaps 7 adhered to the sidepanel 6. The set up assembled storage container blank 1 is illustratedin FIG- URE 8 and indicated at 73. The panels 17 and 16 are folded withrespect to the panel 17 and 16 along score lines 18 and 19. The topclosure panel is provided with an opening 71 to receive a T-shapedlocking key 72 which is connected to the knob 23. The transverse portionof the T-shaped locking key is adapted to fit into slot 22 to close thefront portion thereof. After the blank 1 is set up into a condition asillustrated in FIGURE 8, the back end is closed by folding flaps 9 and11 and then flaps 10 and 8 are adhered thereto to close the rearportion.

Next, the liner blank 46 is folded along fold lines 47 and the panels 51are adhered to the side panels 49. Then the liner is folded along foldlines 48' to present a generally U-shaped configuration as illustratedin FIGURE 9. The portions 52 of the liner blank 46 provides a cut-outportion so the folded panels 16 and 17 will fit on the interior of thecontainer 73 and are coplaner with the re- 4 inforcing panels 51. Thesize of the cut-out portion 52 is selected so as to fit the foldedsections 17, 17 and 16, 16. The reinforcing liner 74 provides additionalstacking strength for the storage container due to the double side wallthickness thereof.

The tray blank 24 can now be folded into a set up condition by foldingthe side panels 26 along fold lines 27 as illustrated in FIGURE 10. Thereinforcing glue flaps 33 and 42 are folded 90 with respect to the sidewalls 26 and then the rear panels 28 and 28 are folded along score lines34, 29 and 30 so as to envelop the reinforcing flaps 33 therein. Themembers 32 are then extended into the slots 31 to completely close therear end thereof. The front wall panels 37 and 37' are likewise foldedalong score lines 43, 38, and 39 in a manner as illustrated in FIGURESl0 and 12. As is conventional, the flaps 33 and 42 may be adhered to thepanels 28 and 28 and panels 37 and 37. The completed set up tray blankis clearly illustrated in FIGURE 12.

Next, the partition holding blank 53 is folded along score lines 54 in amanner so as to roll up on itself in such a manner so as to provide theslots 56 and 57 in register and then the blank is stapled together as at80' or may be adhered. The rolled up partition holding blank 53 is thenpositioned adjacent the front Wall 37 and 37' in a manner as illustratedat 80 in FIGURES 14 and 15. The partition blanks 64 are now insertedinto the slots 56 and 57 and held in that position so as to formpartitions in the assembled tray blank 75. The reel supporting rampblanks 58 are now folded along fold lines 61 and the supporting tab 62is adhered to the side walls 59. The front portion 60 of the ramp ispositioned adjacent the trailing edge of the partition holding blank 80and is engageable therewith. The rear portion of the set up supportingblanks 76 are engageable with the panel 28 of the set up tray 75.

The set up tray with its contents therein can now be placed within thestorage container 73. However, the side panels 17 and 17' and 16 and 16are folded along fold lines 20 and 21 and folded adjacent the sidepanels 4 and 5 as illustrated in FIGURE 14. The assembled tray blankwith the parts assembled therein can now he slid into the container asillustrated in FIGURE 14. In this manner, reels such as illustrated inFIGURE 16 at 81 can be placed between the partition members 64 and readyaccess can be made thereto by merely removing individual articles orsliding the tray with respect to the container 73.

Next, the wedge blank 68 is folded along score lines 69 upon itself toprovide enlargements 78 and 79- at the rear and front portion thereof toprovide a wedge-shaped set up wedge member 77. The enlargement portions78 and 79 are connected to each other by the panel member 70. The set upcondition of the wedge-shaped member is illustrated in FIGURE 11. Thecontents of the container can now be placed between the partitions asillustrated in FIGURE 16. In this instance, reels such as magnetic tapesencased within plastic containers are placed between the partitions 64.The wedge-shaped member 77 is now placed upon the upper portion of thereels to engage and wedge against the reels to hold them in position.The bottom closure panel 14 is now folded up adjacent to the container73 and then the top closure panel 15 is folded down adjacent the panel14 with the T-portion 72 extending into the slot 22 in panel 14 andturned by knob 23 to lock the container and contents therein. Thecompletely assembled container with the contents therein is now readyfor shipment. When it is desired to permanently store the container 73with the contents therein, it is preferred that the wedge member 77 beremoved so that the reel members 81 can be readily removed from thecontainer. The reels 81 are removed from the containers by merelyturning the knob 23 and opening the front panels 14 and 15, removingindividual articles and pulling the assembled tray 75 from the container73 for removal of all the articles.

By providing the gravity forward movement of back reels and slidingrelationship between the trays 75 and the set up container 73, aplurality of containers 73 can be stacked one on top of the other one,yet access to the bottom container 73 is readily obtained.

While specific details of a preferred embodiment have been set forthabove, it will be apparent that many changes and modifications may bemade therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. It willtherefore be understood that what has been described herein is intendedto be illustrative only and is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination: a container for storing articles provided with top,bottom, and side walls; each of said walls being provided with front andrear end closure flaps hingedly connected thereto; tray means withinsaid container and slidable with respect to said container; said traymeans being provided with a plurality of upright partition means; meansto hold said partition means within said tray means; and ramp meansbetween said partition means extending upwardly from the front of saidtray means.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the front side wall closure flapsare each provided with fold lines at the mid-portion thereof so that thefront side closure flaps can be folded upon itself and then foldedwithin the container to provide stacking strength for said container.

3. In combination: a container for storing articles provided with top,bottom, and side walls; each of said walls being provided with front andrear end closure flaps hingedly connected thereto, tray means withinsaid container and slidable with respect to said container; said traymeans is provided with bottom and side panels hingedly connected to eachother and front and rear panels hingedly connected to the bottom panel;said rear panel being provided with a pair of fold lines at themid-portion thereof so that said rear panel can be folded upon itself toprovide a double wall thickness; the outer portion of said rear panelbeing provided with extensions; and slot means provided in the bottompanel to receive said extensions on the rear panel; said front wallbeing provided with a pair of fold lines at the mid-portion thereof sothat said front Wall can be folded upon itself to provide a double wallthickness; the outer portion of said front wall being provided withextensions that are extendable into slots formed in the bottom panel tolock the front panel in a set up condition; said front wall portionthereof being only a fraction of the height of said rear wall portion;and reinforcing flaps on the front and rear portions of the side wallsextendable between each of the front and rear folded panels; said traymeans being provided with a plurality of upright partition means; meansto hold said partition means within said tray means; and ramp meansbetween said partition means extending upwardly from the front of saidtray means.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the front side wall closure flapsare each provided with fold lines at the mid-portion thereof so that thefront side closure flaps can be folded upon itself .and then foldedwithin the container to provide stacking strength for said container 5.The combination of claim 1 wherein said partition means are in the formof elongated panels having upper and lower parallel edges connectedtogether by curvilinear edges.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein the partition means are in theform of elongated panels having upper and lower parallel edges connectedtogether by curvilinear edges.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said partition holding means isprovided with elongated slots to receive the partition means and holdthe same upright within said tray; said partition holding means beingpositioned adjacent to the front wall of said tray.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said partition holding means isprovided with elongated slots to receive the partition means and holdthe same upright within said tray; said partition holding means beingpositioned adjacent to the front wall of said tray.

9. 'In combination: a container for storing articles provided with top,bottom, and side walls; each of said walls being provided with front andrear end closure flaps hingedly connected thereto, tray means withinsaid container and slidable with respect to said container; said traymeans being provided with a plurality of upright partition means; meansto hold said partition means within said tray means; and ramp meansbetween said partition means extending upwardly from the front of saidtray means; said ramp means is provided with a top panel and a pair ofside panels hingedly connected to said top panel and a support tabhingedly connected to the rear portion of said top panel; said rampmeans being engageable with the training edge of said partition holdingmeans and extending in a generally upwardly direction to supportarticles within said container.

10. The combination of claim 8 wherein said ramp means is provided witha top panel and a pair of side panels hingedly connected to said toppanel and a support tab hingedly connected to the rear portion of saidtop panel; said ramp means being engageable with the training edge ofsaid partition holding means and extending in a generally upwardlydirection to support articles within said container.

11. In combination: a container for storing articles provided with top,bottom, and side Walls; each of said walls being provided with front andrear end closure flaps hingedly connected thereto; tray means withinsaid container and slidable with respect to said container; said traymeans being provided with a plurality of upright partition means; meansto ihold said partition means within said tray means; and ramp meansbetween said partition means extending upwardly from the front of saidtray means; a liner means positioned intermediate said tray means withinsaid container and said container side walls.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said liner means is providedwith a top panel and side panels; said side panels being provided with afold line intermediate the ends thereof so as to be folded adjacent eachother to provide a double wall reinforced side wall.

13. A subcombination; comprising: tray means having bottom and sidewalls hingedly connected with respect to each other; front and rearwalls hingedly connected to the bottom wall; a plurality of partitionmeans positioned within said tray means; partition holding means mountedadjacent the front wall of said tray means for holding said partitionmeans in an upright position; and ramp means mounted between saidpartition means and extending in a generally upwardly direction fromsaid front wall.

14. The subcombination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said front wallis provided with a pair of panels folded upon each other and locked inposition by extensions in tegral with said front wall and extending intoslots through the bottom panel and wherein said rear wall is providedWith a pair of panels hingedly connected to each other along itsintermediate portion and locked into position by extensions integralwith the rear wall and extending into slots through the bottom panel.

15. The subcombination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said partitionmeans is an elongated structure having upper and lower parallel edgesconnected by curvilinear edges.

16. The subcombination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said partitionholding means is provided with slots to receive said partition means andis mounted adjacent to and enagageable with the front wall of said traymeans.

17. The subcombination of claim 13 wherein said ramp means is providedwith a top wall hingedly connected to side walls and a support tabhingedly connected to said 7 8 top panel wherein one end of said panelis of a greater 2,649,348 8/1953 Calhoun et a1. t 206--44.12 2,918,34212/1959 Tarte 312-20 X height than said other end; said reinforcing tabbeing hingedly connected to said top panel at the highest end thereof.

References Cited 5 JANIES T. MCCALL, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,565,993 12/1925 Fitzpatrick 312-17 2,257,5369/1941 Roycroft 211-126 3,325,050 6/1967 Wanamaker 211126 X

